763.72/2415½a

The Secretary of State to President Wilson

My Dear Mr. President: Representative David J. Lewis, of Maryland, called me on the telephone this afternoon and after stating that he was with the Administration in the present difficulty and opposed to any of the resolutions which had been suggested, said that several of the Representatives had been discussing the subject with him and had asked him to communicate with me as to the advisability of proposing arbitration as to the rights of the belligerents in respect to arming of merchantmen and the attack upon armed vessels without warning. It is possible, I conclude, that some such suggestion may be made.

I told Mr. Lewis that I could express no opinion on the suggestion at the present time, but would take the matter under consideration.

Personally I do not think that the situation would be helped by any suggestion of this sort. The practical side would be to have Germany relinquish attack until the Court had made a decision which I am convinced the German Government would not consent to. As the proceedings of a tribunal of this sort would undoubtedly take [Page 343] considerable time the immediate relief which is necessary could not be obtained.

It would oblige me if you would give me your views in order that I may answer Mr. Lewis if he speaks to me again upon the subject.

Faithfully yours,

Robert Lansing